Labour: time to reopen the defence review

Mr Alexander joined the chorus of voices including former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Jock Stirrup, former security minister Admiral Lord West and head of the Navy Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope among others, to reconsider the decisions made in the Strategic Defence Spending Review.

He also responded to the comment made by Prime Minister David Cameron who said he sometimes felt like saying to senior military figures about the impact of the Libyan and Afghan operations: "I tell you what – you do the fighting and I'll do the talking."

"Those comments were ill-judged and ill-considered," said Mr Alexander. "It's high time the Prime Minister did some listening."